When we give cheerfully and accept
gratefully, everyone is blessed....

In 1829 Louis Braille rid the
world of darkness. You can, too..

When the Sun of compassionarises
darkness evaporates...

The Poona School and Home for the Blind Trust

The Poona School and Home for the Blind has been a pioneer institution in Pune. This eight decade old institution was started by Dr.S.R.Machave, a practicing eye specialist who worked specifically for the noble cause of securing a future for people who were blind. This school had a humble beginning in the year 1934 in a rented premise at Somwar Peth, Pune. The school for boys was later shifted to another campus in Koregaon Park, and has come a long way since then.
40 years after the inception of this blind school, a separate school for blind girls came into existence in the year 1974. Soon thereafter, a vocational training centre for girls was established in order to make them self sufficient in the outside world. Training these students for self-employment and rehabilitation was the objective of starting this blind school.

Objectives

To cater to the needs of boys and girls who are partially or totally blind.

To provide the inmates educational facilities such as teaching Braille as a medium of learning, arts and handicrafts, music, vocal and instrumental, physical instructions and moral teachings & values.

To provide residential facilities such as bedding, clothing, utensils and medical aid to those admitted in the hostel, as far as possible.

To admit non-residential children as day-scholars to the fullest capacity of the School.

To educate and propagate awareness amongst the public with a view to prevent blindness and protect one’s eyes.

To organize facilities of medical assistance and surgical attendance for the blind.

To provide tools to the needy blind and partially blind children.

To conduct work-shops for blind children and adults.

To organize meetings, conferences and seminars on education and problems faced by the blind.

To create awareness through magazines and books on problems faced by the blind and their rehabilitation.

To provide employment opportunities through their own workshops or in open industries.

To seek help and support from industrialists and businesses etc. in work relating to the Blind.

To undertake the study of action-oriented pilot projects in the field of welfare for the blind.

To educate the public with a view to encourage blind people to avail the facilities of education, employment and rehabilitation.

To extend the activities of the School wherever possible.

To co-operate with other voluntary agencies working in the field of social welfare.

Achievements

The school has secured a place in the Guinness book of world records, for a full-length play where the entire cast starred was blind.

The school has secured first position for the last four years in the All India Dance Competition organized by the Amway Opportunity Foundation where 25 schools participated.

At the District level swimming competition, 5 students from the Trust ranked no. 1 in all five groups.

The school had secured a first position also in an essay writing competition, cooking competition and singing competition held by the Scout Institution, Pune.

In the Paralytics games too, students from our school scored maximum marks in the last year.

At the district level, a fancy dress and athletics competition was held by the Balkalyan Sanstha, where the Pune Blind School has been securing the first position consecutively for the last three years.

Students from this blind school are ahead not only in dance, music and games, but also in the area of education and academia. Every year, 100% students clear their board exams. Training related to operating and using computer systems are also provided by the trust. Various projects such as sensory pictures and sensory gardens to train the students are also being provided.

Another objective of the Pune School and Home for the Blind is to ensure a successful career for their students. Some of these students are chartered accountants, musicians, teachers etc.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Awards

Awarded Runner Cricket Trophy by the hands of famous
Indian Cricketer Chandu Borde in State Level
Blind Cricket Competition by Rotary Club
Pune Singhgad Road in Bhosari, Pune

For the Participation in Blind Students Cricket Competition awarded Late Ratanchand Memorial Trophy on 19th February 2005 by Patashibai Lunkad Manav Kalyan Trust.

On 5th December 2012 won the first prize for Cricket Competition on the occasion of Rotary Centenary Function by Rotary Club – Pune Singhgad Road, Pune

In Pune Festival on 15th September 1997 a drama ‘One Event - Many Dimensions’ performed by blind boys and girls.

Guinness World Record Certificate ‘Swatrantryachi Yashogatha’ for casting 88 blind actors at a time on stage on 2nd August 1997.

On occasion of Blind Welfare Week Competition awarded Best Performance’ award at Jalna in 1993 organized by The National Federation of the Blind.

Awarded 1st prize in Tamasha, Pottery work, Mon Acting Talents Competition held by National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped India in Mumbai in 1989.

In a Skill and Talent Competition of the Disabled won the 3rd Prize for `Folk Dance’ on 30th January 1994 at Mumbai organized by National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped India.

Chairman’s Message

“It is essential for every development-seeking society to enable all its members to achieve their full potential. Launching this effort was a visionary action and we are working towards making it reach fruition. Enabling the visually impaired to lead a normal social life is a task that we are committed to. All our actions will be in line with this task, ultimately aiming for an equitable society.”